Albuquerque NM vs Lakeland FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
14.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 82,506 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 48.4 | Albuquerque + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 55.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 3.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 14.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $60,465 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $36,322 | Albuquerque + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 26.8% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 61.1% | Albuquerque + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
14.1%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 38.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.3% | Albuquerque + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.1% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | 72.6°F | Albuquerque + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 54.8 in | Albuquerque + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.6 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albuquerque leads in median household income at $65,604, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albuquerque scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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